Can eating raw beef lead to parasitic infection?

I enjoy eating raw and rare beef because it's tender, sweet, and not dry, but my mother advises me to limit it to avoid the risk of parasitic infection. Is she right? (Hoa, 25, Hanoi).

Many people enjoy eating raw or rare beef because it is tender, whereas thoroughly cooked beef often becomes dry, chewy, and tough. If the beef is fresh, traceable, and safe, you can eat it with peace of mind and undergo regular deworming.

However, consuming raw or undercooked dishes carries a risk of various microbial infections, leading to digestive disorders and food poisoning. For instance, spoiled or odorous beef, or meat from sick cattle, should not be eaten, especially when raw or undercooked.

A beef tapeworm can mature in about three months and live in the human intestine for 20 to 30 years, reaching a length of two to 12 meters. Beef tapeworm larvae can reside in muscle tissue, and once ingested by humans, they develop into adult worms in the intestines, causing abdominal pain, nausea, and malnutrition. Beyond beef tapeworms, raw beef also harbors other bacteria and parasites such as liver flukes, or food poisoning bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can cause acute diarrhea, vomiting, and severe intestinal infections.

Animal meat and organs have a high risk of parasitic infection; they should not be eaten raw or undercooked, or if not prepared hygienically. *Photo: Bui Thuy*

Doctors advise individuals with digestive illnesses or weak digestive systems to prioritize consuming thoroughly cooked food and boiled water. They should avoid raw or undercooked vegetables, tubers, beef, or pork. If symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, loose stools, or weight loss occur, it is essential to visit specialized medical facilities to prevent the spread of pathogens to the community. Prioritize purchasing meat from reputable sources and avoid meat with small white spots resembling rice grains in the muscle fibers.

Use separate cutting boards and knives for raw and cooked meat to prevent cross-contamination. If you frequently consume raw beef and experience symptoms like dull abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, or weight loss, seek medical attention for testing and timely deworming.

Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Duy Thinh

Former official at the Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology

By VnExpress: https://vnexpress.net/an-thit-bo-song-co-bi-nhiem-san-5049424.html